Game apparatus



June 13, 1933. T. E. WHEELER 1,914,316

GAME APPARATUS Filed D60. 29, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

T. E. WHEELER GAME APPARATUS June 13, 1933.

Filed Dec. 29 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. arreZ/E Wheeler w h fi mwIll llll li\l w Vh lrlli l 1 l l l l I 111-- l I. Qw m fiw & H U Q m w nu H 7 1- Q n a m \m n Q Q H mm SH June 13, 1933- GAME APPARATUS FiledDec. 29, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I I I I l i 1 E M 1 INVENTOR. 1TarrelZEfi heekr 4'3 z @9 BY Y E I 5k ATTORNEY.

June 13, 1933- T. E. WHEELER GAME APPARATUS Filed Dec. 29, 1950 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR- ZhrreZZE W861i? Patented June 13, 19331,914,3lti

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TAR-BELL E. WHEELER, F BALD'WYN, IIIISSISSIPPI, ASSIG-NOR TO VJINNIE D.WHEELER, OF BALDWYN, lvIISSISSIPPI GAME APPARATUS Application filedDecember 23, 1930. Serial No. 505,411.

This invention relates to a game apparatus of that type including tracksupon which globular game pieces are rolled thereon for the purpose ofscoring and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to which whenemployed will provide for the playing of a skillful, amusing andinteresting game.

A further object of the invention is to prole, in a manner ashereinafter set forth and for the purpose referred to a game apparatusincluding means for automatically scoring a successfully played gamepiece.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth a game apparatus for the purpose referred toincluding means for automatically scoring a successfully played gamepiece and with means for automatically returning such game pieces andunsuccessfully played game pieces to the front of the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth and for the purpose referred to a game apparatusrequiring dexterity on the part of a player to successfully roll a gamepiece to score.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth and for the purpose referred to a game apparatusincluding inclined tracks for rolling thereon game pieces and with thetracks so arranged as to offer-resistance to and to assist the travel ofthe game pieces as they roll towards scoring points therefor.

A further ob]ect of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth and for the purpose referred to a game apparatusincluding a guard to prevent the game pieces from being projected fromoff the apparatus when the player initially starts the game piece upon atrack.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a game apparatus for the purpose referred towhich is comparatively simple in its con struction and arrangement,strong, durable,

i compact, amusing and interesting when used,

readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel c011- struction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a top plan view of a gameapparatus in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 44, Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Figure 1.

Figure 6 is av sectional elevation of the scoring device, broken away.

Figure 7 is a top plan View of the scoring device and with the casingtherefor in sectional plan.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the casing for the scoring device.

Figures 9 and 10 are sectional details illustrating tracks in verticalsections.

The game apparatus includes a support generally indicated at 1 andincluding a rectangular forward part 20, a curved intermediate part 3and a circular rear part 4. The diameter of the part 4 is materiallygreater than the width of the parts 2 or 3. The support 1 can beconstructed of any suitable material and of the desired width andlength. The forward part 2 is arranged concentrically with respect tothe rear part 4. The support- 1 is arranged at the desired height and ismounted upon and secured to spaced pairs of standards 5, 6 and 7 and asingle standard 8 which is arranged between the pairs of standards 5, 6and at the longitudinal median of the forward part 2. The support 1upwardly inclines from its front to rear and the inclination thereof canbe as desired.

At the transverse center of the part 4, it

ball 14 to pass therethrough. Preferably the number of player pieces orballs used is nine, but this number can be increased or d'iminished. Thepart 4 is also formed with an arcuate slot 15 which extends at a pointin proximity to the front end of part 4 to a point in proximity to theaxis of part 4 and is arranged adjacent one side of the longitudinalmedian of support 1.

. Secured to the rear portion of each side of the part 2, throughout thesides of part 3 and throughout the edge of part 4 is a verticallydisposed reticulated guard 16. The guard 16 is of the desired height andprevents the player pieces from being projected off the apparatus whenthe player pieces are rolled in a direction towards the openings in thepart 4.

The support 1 has arranged thereon means to provide a roll-off surface17. The said means consists of transversely extending spaced bars 18, 19secured upon the forward portion of the forward part 2 of the support 1.Positioned upon as well as being secured to the bars 18, 19 is arectangular plate 20 of a width corresponding to the width of the part 2of the support 1. The upper face of the plate 20 provides the rollingoff surface for the player pieces or balls 15. The plate 20 is of alength greater than half the length of the part 2 of support 1 and theforward end of plate 20 is flush with the forward end of the support 1.

Secured upon the upper face of the support 1 is a series of spacedparallel, continuous, upstanding strips, each standing on its lowerlengthwise edge thereof. The strips provide track members 21, 22. 23.24. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. 32, 33 and 34. Each of said members withthe exception of member 21 includes a horizontal part 35, an arcuatepart 36 and a curved part 37 greater than a half circle. The trackmember 21 includes a horizontal part 35, an arcuate part 36' and acircular part 37 The parts 37 are concentrically arranged relatively toeach other and to part 37 The members 21, 34 are the outer members of t1e series and are positioned adjacent the side edges of parts 2, 3 andthe part 4 of support 1. The front ends of the track members abut therear end of plate 20 and are flush with the rolling off surface 17. Thecurved parts 37 progressively increase in diameter from the circularpart of member 21 to the part 37 of member 34. The arcuate parts of saidmembers gradually decrease in length from the arcuate part of member 21to the arcuate part of member 34. The arcuate part 36 of member 21registers with one side edge of the slot 14 from end to end of suchedge. The rear ends of the members 22 to 33. both inclusive, registerwith the other side edge of the slot- 14. The end of member 34 abuts thearcuate part 36 of member 21 and extends across slot 14.

Depending from the end of the support 1 is a hanger plate 38 which hassecured to the front portion of its lower face a collecting trough 39.Secured to the lower face of the part 4 of support 1 and disposeddiametrically thereof, as well as positioned below the openings 9 to 13is a combined collector and deflector member for successfully playedslayer pieces or balls. The combined collecting and deflecting member isindicated at 40. Leading rearwardly from the center of the member 40 andinclining downwardly towards its rear end is a conducting chute 41 forthe successfully played balls or player pieces 15. Arranged below thepart 4 of support 1, as well as being secured to said part is a receivermember 42 for unsuccessfully played player pieces or balls 15. Themember 42 aligns with the slot 14 and the latter opens into the upperend of the member. The forward end of member 42 is open and leadingtherefrom to the front of the apparatus is an inclined conducting chute43 for unsuccessfully played balls. The chute 43 discharges into thecollecting trough 39. Arranged below the support 1 and extending from apoint below the rear end of the chute 41 to and opening into thecollecting trough 39 is a return chute or runway 44 for successfullyplayed player pieces or balls 15. The rear end of the chute 44 isenlarged as at 45 for the purpose of receiving the successfully playedplayer pieces or balls 15 and the manner in which the successfullyplayed balls are discharged into the rear end 45 of the chute or runway44 will be presently referred to.

The track forming members are of like height and each is of the sameheight throughout. Each pair of opposed track members are associated toprovide a track. The track members are disposed at the same inclinationas the inclination of the support 1. The top edge of each track memberis oppositely beveled as at 46. 47, Figure 9. The beveled edge portion46 of one track member eoacts with the beveled edge portion 47 ofanother track member to provide a track for the player piece or ball 15to roll over when it is being played. The top ed ges of the trackmembers 21, 28. 29 and 34 are beveled from end to end, but the top edgeof each of the other track members at one side thereof is formed with avertically disposed concave groove. The concave grooves of the members22 and 23 associate with each other. The concave grooves of the members24 and 25 associate with each other. The concave grooves of the members26 and 27 associate with each other. The concave grooves of the members30 and 31 associate with each other and the concave grooves of members39. and 33 associate with each other. Each pair of associated concavegrooves register with an. opening formed in the part 4 of support 1 andthe associated concave grooves reduce the thickness of the pair ofopposed track members so that when a ball reaches a pair of associatedconcave grooves it passes down through the same and through the openingswith which the pair pf concave grooves is associated. The grooves ofeach pair of associated grooves are indicated at 48, 49, Figure 10. Eachgrooved track member has its top edge beveled from one side of thegroove therein to one end of the member and from the other side of thegroove therein to the other end of the memher.

The apparatus includes an automatically movable co-operable scoringdevice comprisin a casing including front and rear Walls 50, 51respectively, a pair of side walls 52, 53, a bottom 54 and a top 55. Thecasing is arranged centrally with respect to the part 4 at the rear ofthe latter, suitably coupled therewith, is of greater height than part 4and has its front wall provided with an inverted triangular shaped sightopening 56. Secured to the inner faces of the front walls 56, 51centrally thereof are studs 57 and 58 respectively. Extending throughthe walls 50, 51 and studs 57, 58 is a stationary shaft 59 which isfixedly secured in position to the studs by a pin 60. Revolubly mountedon the shaft 59 is a score indicator consisting of ratchet wheel 61provided with spaced score indicators 62. The indicators aggregateprogressively in multiples of five and as illustrated by Way of example,the indications consist of nought, five, ten fifteen, twenty,twenty-five,thirty,thirty-five.forty and forty-five. The aggregate scoreindicators as shown are employed when a player uses nine balls to playthe game. It is to be understood that the indicators can be as desiredand that any desired number of player pieces or balls 15 can be used forplaying the game. Fixed to the shaft 59 is a pair of collars 63 toprevent shifting of disc 61 relative to shaft 59. Interposed between thehub 64 of the disc 61 and the collars 63 are a pair of ratchet discoperating levers 65 which are loosely mounted on shaft 59. One end ofthe levers 65 are connected together by cross pieces 66 and to which isattacned a vertically extending controlling spring 67, the latter havingits lower end anchored as at 68 to the bottom 54. The teeth of theratchet 61 are indicated at 69 and coacting therewith is a springcontrolled latch 70 to arrest anticlockwise movement of the disc 61. Thespring controlled latch 70 is carried by a cross piece 71 which issecured to the studs 57 58 and arranged below the disc 61.

The other end of the levers 65 has positioned therebetween the upper end72 of a shifting rod 73 for said levers 65. The upper end 7 2 of rod 73is pivotallv connected to the levers 65 by a pivot member 74.

An operating lever is employed for shifting or pulling the rod 73 forthe purpose of operating levers 65 to shift the disc 61 and suchoperating lever is indicated at 75. The rear end of the lever 75 has aloose pivotal connection as at 76 with the rear wall 51 of the casingand such connection is arranged in proximity to the side wall 53 of thecasing. The lever 75 projects towards the front of the apparatus andextends through an opening 77 formed in the front wall 50 of the casing.The front end of the lever 75 is provided With a cup 78 to receive asuccessfully played player piece or ball 15 and the weight thereof willlower the lever 75, carrying the rod 73 therewith and providing for aspring pressed latch 79 carried by the levers 65 to engage a tooth 69 ofthe disc 61 to shift the latter the length of a tooth. The rod 73 andlever 75 are provided with openings 80 for adjustably connecting themtogether. The cup or receiver 78 carried by the front end of lever 75 ispositioned below the rear end of the successfully play-ed. ballconducting chute 41. The lever 75 is held in upward position by thecontrolling spring 67 acting through the levers 65 and rod 73 upon lever75. hen a successfully played ball is discharged froni chute 41 into thecup or receiver 7 8 the lever 75 is lowered and lowering movement iscontinued until the player piece carried by the cup 78 is dischargedinto the end 45 of the chute 44 and the latter conducts the ball orplayer piece to the collecting trough 39. Then the lever 75 is freed bythe weight of the ball or player piece the spring 67 acts to restore thelever 75 to the position shown in Figure 2.

A means is employed for resetting the scoring device. that is to say forshifting the disc 61 until the indication nought appears to the sightopening Said means consists of a pull cord 81 which is attached as at 82to the lever 75 and then passes under a sheave or pulley 62 and thenpasses to the front of the apparatus and has its front end connected asat 83 to a pivoted shifting lever 84 therefor. The lever 84 isoscillated to provide for an intermittent rotation of the disc 60 tobring the indicationv nought to the sight opening 56. This action is theresetting or restoring device to its initial or normal position.

The inclinations of the tracks tends to retard the travel of the playerpieces and also tends to assist the travel of the player pieces towardsthe openings formed in the part 4 of the support 1. That is to theinclination (ill of thetrachs will retard somewhat the rolling action ofthe balls towards the openings 12 and 13 but after passing such openingsand traveling to the left of the part 4: the inclination of the trackswill be such as to assist the balls in rolling towards the openings 9,l0 and 11.

It will be assumed that a player has rolled the ball on the trackprovided by the track members 2G and as the ball travels over such trackand reaches the rear end thereof it will be discharged through the slotlei into member It will be assumed that the player has rolled ti c ballover the track provided by the track members 2%, and that the ball hassuch speed as passes beyond the opening 12 and it will run around thepart ft and be discharged into the slot 14. It will also be assumed thatthe player has rolled the ball upon the track provided by thetrackmembers 21', 25 and that the speed of the ball is such that when itreaches the opposed concave grooves of such members 24, 25 it will dropand pass through the opening 12 into the member 40 and be directed tothe chute 41, travel through chute 4-1 and drop onto the cup 78 loweringlever 15 and thereby automatically operate the scoring device.

The player rolls the ball from the rolling off surface 17 and itrequires considerable skill to have the ball leave the rolling off space17 upon track which has arranged intermediate its ends an opening forthe passage of a si'lcccssfully played ball.

The casing has attached to the top wall 55 thereof an illuminatingelement 85 employed for lighting the casing when occasion requires sothat the aggregated score made by the player will be readily visiblethrough the sight opening 56.

What I claim is:

1. In a game apparatus a support including a rectangular partterminating in a circular part, the latter being formed with adiametrically disposed row of spaced openings and a curved slot arrangedsubstantially radially thereof, said slot having one end in proximity tothe axis and its other end in proximity to the outer edge of saidcircular part, an elevated ball rolling off surface positioned upon aportion of said rectangular part, a series of parallel, elongated,spaced, upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwiseedges and being arranged to provide parallel tracks positioned abovesaid support for the travel of rolling bodies, said strips having oneend thereof abutting one end edge of the playing surface, said stripswith the exception of a pair thereof having their other ends flush withone side wall of said slot for the discharge of rolling bodies into thelatter, one of the strips of said pair having its other end arranged atthe inner end of said slot and a stretch thereof flush with the otherside wall of the slot, the

other strip of the pair having a stretch thereof flush with the outerend wall of the slot and its other end abutting that strip flush with aside wall of the slot, said openings arranged between certain of saidstrips below the tracks formed by the latter, and said strips providingthe tracks arranged above the openings having means for the passage ofrolling bodies from oh the tracks, down between such strips and throughsaid openings.

2. In a game apparatus, a support having a circular part and arectangular part merging into the former, the diameter of the circularbeing greater than that of the rectangular part, an elevated playingpiece rolling off surface mounted upon a portion of said rectangularpart, said circular part being formed with a diametrically disposed rowof spaced openings and a substantially radially disposed sli htly curvedrectangula slot, continuous upstanding spaced elongated parallel stripsstanding on their lower lengthwise edges and providing elevated tracksfor rolling bodies, said tracks extending from the forward edge of saidsurface to said slot and each formed of a horizontal stretch merginginto a circular stretch, one of said strips having a stretch thereofflush with one side wall of the slot, another of said strips having astretch flush with the outer end wall of the slot and abutting the saidother strip, certain of said tracks arranged over said openings, and thestrips forming the said certain of said tracks provided with means forthe passage of rolling bodies from off of said tracks, down between suchstrips and through said openings.

3. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, and the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough.

4-. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies ing downwardly thereof, and the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,all of the said tracks being disposed at an inclination thereof from thef ont end to the rear end thereof.

5. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefore,said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks,

"- the width of the major portion of the said several tracks being lessthan the diameter of said rolling bodies to prevent said bodies passingdownwardly thereof, the strips forming the said several tracks providedinterl mediate the ends of the opposed faces thereof with oppositelydisposed opposed upstanding coacting means for the passage of therolling bodies downwardly from said several tracks through saidopenings, the other tracks of said series having the width thereofthroughout less than the diameter of the rolling bodies to prevent thelatter passing downwardly therethrough, one of said tracks having acircular rear part, and the other of said tracks having curved rearparts greater than a half circle, arranged concentrically to each otherand to said circular part.

6. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor. said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to preventsaid bodies pass ing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,all of the said tracks being disposed at an inclination thereof from thefront end to the rear end thereof, one of said tracks having a circularrear part, and the other of said tracks having curved rear parts greaterthan a half circle, arranged concentrically to each other and to saidcircular part.

7. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of th opposed faces thereof beveledto provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon of rollingbodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below 56"6131 of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies dow wardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof through out less than the diameter ofthe rolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardlytherethrough, one of said tracks having a circular rear part, the otherof said tracks having curved rear parts greater than a half circle,arranged concentrically to each other and to said circular part, andeach of said tracks having an arcuate intermediate part merging intosaid rear part and a horizontal part merging into said arcuate part.

8. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout lessthan die diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,all of the said tracks er. dd

being disposed at an inclination thereof from the front and to the rearend thereof, one of said tracks having a circular rear part, the otherof said tracks having curved rear parts greater than a half circle,arranged concentrically to each other and to said circular part, andeach of said tracks having an arcuate intermediate part merging intosaid rear part and a horizontal part merging into said arouate part.

9. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,and said support formed with a slot common to the rear ends of saidtracks for the passage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rollingbodies.

.10. A game apparatus including a series of parallel elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided. intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,one of said tracks having a circular rear part, the other of said trackshaving curved rear parts greater than a half circle, arrangedconcentrically to each other and to said circular part, and said supportformed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracks for thepassage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies.

11. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spacedopenll'lgS positioned below several of said tracks, the width of themajor portion of the said several tracks being less than the diameter ofsaid rolling bodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof,the strips forming the said several tracks provided intermediate theends of the opposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposedupstanding coacting means for the passage of the rolling bodiesdownwardly from said several tracks through said openings, the othertracks of said series having the width thereof throughout less than thediameter of the rolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardlytherethrough, one of said tracks having a circular rear part, the otherof said tracks having curved rear parts greater than a half circle,arranged concentrically to each other and to said circular part, each ofsaid tracks having an arcuate intermediate part merging into said rearpart and a horizontal part merging into said arcuate part, and saidsupport formed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracks forthe passage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies.

12. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said seveal tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,said support formed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracksfor the passage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies,the said rolling bodies passing through said openings being successfullyplayed, and means carried by said support for conducting thesuccessfully played rolling bodies to operate a scoring device.

13. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a

support therefor, said support having spaced openings positioned belowseveral of said tracks, the width of the major portion of the saidseveral tracks being less than the diameter of said rolling bodies toprevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the strips forming thesaid several tracks provided intermediate the ends of the opposed facesthereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstanding coacting means forthe passage of the rolling bodies downwardly from said several tracksthrough said openings, the other tracks of said series having the widththereof throughout less than the diameter of the rolling bodies toprevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough, one of said trackshaving a circular rear part, the other of said tracks having curved rearparts greater than a half circle, arranged concentrically to each otherand to said circular part, said support formed with a slot common to therear ends of said tracks for the passage therethrough of unsuccessfullyplayed rolling bodies, the said rolling bodies passing through saidopenings being successfully played, and means carried by said supportfor conducting the successfully played rolling bodies to operate ascoring device.

14;. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed l zpStlnCllllgcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,one of said tracks having a circular rear part, the other of said trackshaving curved rear parts greater than a half circle, arrangedconcentrically to each other and to said circular part, each of saidtracks having an arcuate intermediate part merging into said rear partand a horizontal part merging into said arcuate part, said supportformed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracks for thepassage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies, the saidrolling bodies passing through said openings being successfully played,and means carried by said support for conducting the successfully playedrolling bodies to operate a scoring device.

15. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the up per portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a su port therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,said support formed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracksfor the passage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies,the said rolling bodies passing through said openings being successfullyplayed, means-carried by said support for conducting the successfullyplayed rolling bodies to 0p erate a. scorin device, and means forconducting the unsuccessfully played and successfully played rollingbodies to the front of said support.

16. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingsposition-ed below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereadd of throughout less than the diameter ofthe rolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardlytherethrough, one of said tracks having a circular rear part, the otherof said tracks having curved rear parts greater than a half circle,arranged concentrically to each other and to said circular part, saidsupport formed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracks forthe passage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies, thesaid rolling bodies passing through said openings being successfullyplayed, means carried by said support for conducting the successfullyplayed rolling bodies to operate a scoring device, and means forconducting the unsuccessfully played and successfully played rollingbodies to the front of said support.

17. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding, continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the up per portion of the op aosed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diame ter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the saic several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rollin bodies downwardly from saidseveral tracks through said openings, the other tracks of said serieshaving the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,one of said tracks having a circular rear part, the other of said trackshaving curved rear parts greater than a half circle, arrangedconcentrically to each other and to said circular part, each of saidtracks having an arcuate intermediate part merging into said rear partand a horizontal part merging into said arcuate part, said supportformed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracks for thepassage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies, the saidrolling bodies passing through said openings being successfully played,means carried by said support for conducting the successfully playedrolling bodies to operate a scoring device, and means for conducting theunsuccessfully played and successfully played rolling bodies to thefront of said support.

18. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel trac is for the travel thereonof rolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spacedopenings positioned below several of said tracks, the width of the majorportion of the said several tracks being less than the diameter of saidrolling bodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, thestrips forming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends ofthe opposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the Width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly .therethrough,said support formed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracksfor the passage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies,the said rolling bodies passing through said openings being successfullyplayed, means carried by said support for conducting the successfullyplayed rolling bodies to operate a scoring device, means for conductingthe unsuccessfully played and successfully played rolling bodies to thefront of said support, and a vertically disposed guard secured to theside and rear edges of said support adjacent the outer of said tracks.

19. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,one of said tracks having a circular rear part, the other of said trackshaving curved rear part-s greater than a half circle, arrangedconcentrically to each other and to said circular part, said supportformed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracks for thepassage tl'ierethrougl'i of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies, thesaid rolling bodies passing through said openings being successfullyplayed, means carried by said support for conducting the successfullyplayed rolling bodies to operate a scoring device, means for conductingthe unsuccessfully played and successfully played rolling bodies to thefront of said support, and a vertically dlsposed guard secured to theside and rear edges of said support adjacent the outer of said tracks.

20. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower length- Wise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,one of said tracks having a circular rear part, the other of said trackshaving curved rear parts greater than a half circle, arrangedconcentrically to each other and to said circular part, each of saidtracks having an arcuate intermediate part merging into said rear partand a horizontal part merging into said arcuate part, said supportformed with a slot common to the rear ends of said tracks for thepassage therethrough of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies, the saidrolling bodies passing through said openings being successfully played,means carried by said support for conducting the successfully playedrolling bodies to operate a scoring device, means for conducting theunsuccessfully played and successfully played rolling bodies to thefront of said support, and a vertically disposed guard secured to theside and rear edges of said support adjacent the outer of said tracks.

21. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the wit th of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, and the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said openings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the the diameter ofthe rolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardlytherethrough, the beveled portions of the opposed faces of the stripsproviding for the rolling bodies to partly depend between the, stripswhen traveling over the tracks.

22. A game apparatus including a series of parallel, elongated, spaced,upstanding continuous strips standing on the lower lengthwise edgesthereof and having the upper portion of the opposed faces thereofbeveled to provide a series of parallel tracks for the travel thereon ofrolling bodies, a support therefor, said support having spaced openingspositioned below several of said tracks, the width of the major portionof the said several tracks being less than the diameter of said rollingbodies to prevent said bodies passing downwardly thereof, the stripsforming the said several tracks provided intermediate the ends of theopposed faces thereof with oppositely disposed opposed upstandingcoacting means for the passage of the rolling bodies downwardly fromsaid several tracks through said open ings, the other tracks of saidseries having the width thereof throughout less than the diameter of therolling bodies to prevent the latter passing downwardly therethrough,the beveled portions of the opposed faces of the strips providin for therolling bodies to partly depend between the strips when traveling overthe tracks, said support formed with a slot common to the rear ends ofsaid tracks for the passage of unsuccessfully played rolling bodies,said openings providing for the passage of successfully played balls,means carried by the support for conducting the successfully playedballs to operate a scoring device, and means operated from the front ofthe support for returning the scoring device to normal position.

In testimony whereof, I am my signature hereto.

TARRELL E. lVHEELER.

